Shoe cleaner



July 17, 1962 Filed Jan. 21, 1960 J. H. SCOTT ET AL SHOE CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN H. SCOTT CHARZLS' 5/7/1157 B QWMM ATTORNEYS July 17, 1962 J. H. SCOTT ET AL 3,044,099

SHOE CLEANER Filed Jan. 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY god W ATTORNEYS July 17, 1962 J. H. SCOTT ETAl SHOE CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 21, 1960 m f wxa m .5 5 mm M ox f c mm wb x mm a wm om PM um am mm vb v 3 2v ATTORNEYS United This invention relates to a shoe cleaner, and more particularly to a mechanized shoe cleaner for removing lint and dirt for the entire surface of a shoe.

In the manufacture of precision instruments, it is oftentimes necessary to have rooms which are subjected to a vacuum, in which the-men work. These rooms are subjected to a vacuum to eliminate the circulation of lint, dust and dirt which can interfere with the proper operation of the machinery and thus result in an inferior product.

The workmens shoes are one of the primary causes of dirt and lint in these vacuum rooms. Therefore, it is necessary that a workmans shoes be thoroughly brushed and vacuumed to remove all possible lint and dirt therefrom before he enters the vacuum room. Previously the brushing has been done by hand or by a brush rotated by some mechanical means. However, both of these methods have necessitated the removal of the workmans shoes. This arrangement is inconvenient and time consuming. Such an arrangement is also costly in that man hours are lost due to the cumbersome method of cleaning.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for cleaning shoes which will overcome the above disadvantages.

It is an object of this invention to provide a shoe cleaner which simultaneously brushes the shoe bottom including the soles and heels and the upper portion of the shoes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoe cleaner having counter-rotating brushes which engage the upper portion of the shoes in both the transverse and longitudinal direction to assure removal of all foreign particles therefrom.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination shoe cleaner and vacuum device for removing all foreign particles which might appear on a pair of shoes.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a combination shoe cleaner and vacuum device which may be utilized by the workman walking therethrough, thereby eliminating the need of the workman to remove his shoes.

These and other objects and purposes of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe cleaner assemy;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane IIH of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is aside cross-sectional View of a modified form of the invention taken along the plane VV of FIGURE 6; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the modified form of FIG. 5 with a partial cross-sectional view thereof taken along the plane VIVI of FIG. 5.

Basically, this invention relates to a mechanical means for cleaning shoes. The shoe cleaner is composed of several basic units or sets of brushes each mounted over a pit, said units or sets including a sole and heel cleaner supported by the pit, a rotating shoe brushing unit associated with one of the pits and its sole and heel unit, a rolling brush unit associated with the other pit and its sole and heel cleaning unit and vacuum means for removing the dirt and lint brushed from the shoes.

The pits are of a generally square or rectangular shape, being aligned with one another, but spaced from each other. house the sole and heel cleaning units. The bottom of the pits are funnel shaped and lead to a funnel outlet which is connected to a common vacuum source.

The sole and heel cleaning units are identical and are supported in the pits by appropriate bracket means. They are mounted flush with the surface of the pits so as to provide a continuous walking surface. The sole and heel cleaning units have inner and outer frame members, the outer frame members of which are supported by brackets secured to the pits. The inner frame members support power means, which when energized put into motion crank and pitman means. The crank and pitman are secured to mechanism which transforms the reciprocatory motion thereof into oscillating motion. This oscillating motion is transferred to brushes which are journaled on the inner frame members. The brushes project above the frame structure and the surface of the pit so as to engage the soles and heels of shoes when standing upon the unit.

The rotating brush unit is composed of two pair of longitudinally extending counter-rotating brushes. The brushes are supported by a shaft which is mounted in supports including bearings and are disposed so that they overlap or interengage upon rotation. The brushes are also mounted so that the bristles thereof engage the surface of one of the sole and heel cleaning units. These brushes are connected by appropriate gear train means to a source of power so as to cause them to counter-ro tate. The brushes are covered by a housing except at the points where the pairs of brushes overlap. These openings in the housing provides a pathway or guide for the legs and shoes of the workman. One leg and shoe of the workman passes between one pair of the counter rotating brushes and the other leg and shoe passes between the other pair of counter-rotating brushes. Since the brushes overlap and are located adjacent the surface of the sole and heel cleaning unit, the shoes of the Workman will be engaged by the brushes. The brushes rotate in a manner so as to brush the shoes in a transverse direction with regard to the longitudinal extent thereof. The brushes are also arranged to counter-rotate in a direction so that the 'dirt and lint brushed therefrom is forced downwardly into the pit.

A pressure sensitive switch is connected to the power means for the sole and heel cleaning unit. When the workman stands upon the sole and heel cleaning unit the power means is energized causing oscillation of the projecting brushes, which will clean the soles and heels of the shoes. Also connected with the same switch is the power means for the counter-rotating brushes which clean the tops of the shoes. Thus, when the workman steps upon the sole and heel cleaning unit, the shoe cleaner assembly is energized and the soles and heels of the shoes as well as the tops are cleaned simultaneously. As the workman leaves this assembly the pressure sensitive switch is de-energized as the cleaning unit stops.

The workman then immediately walks through the other portion of the shoe cleaning assembly.

This assembly includes a sole and heel cleaning unit which is identical to that of the previous unit. This unit has rolling brushes which travel in a direction with the longitudinal extent of the shoe and thus brushes the shoe top in a direction normal to the shoe top brush of the first unit.

A vacuum source is connected to the two pits and is The pits are of a suflicient depth to adequatelyalso energized by the pressure sensitive switch. Thus, any foreign matter brushed from the shoes is immediately drawn off by the vacuum arrangement.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the entire shoe cleaning assembly is illustrated in perspective. This assembly includes the rotating brush unit or set 35 and the first sole cleaner unit 11 located in the pit 28. Aligned with the rotating unit 35 is the rolling unit 65 and the second sole cleaning unit 64, which is mounted in the pit 85. The vacuum system is best illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 also shows the power mechanism for rotating and rolling brushes of the units. The power and oscillating mechanism for the sole and heel cleaning units, which are identical, is shown in our copending application Serial No. 3,948, filed January 21, 1960, and entitled Mechanical Door Mat.

FIG. 4 best shows the position of the two sole and heel cleaning units. The first sole cleaning unit is designated generally as 11 and the second sole cleaning unit is designated generally as 64. Since these units are identical, only the unit 11 will be described in detail.

The sole and heel cleaning unit 11 is supported in the pit 28 by brackets which are secured to anchor plates embedded in the sides of the pit (not shown).

The outer frame member 17 is a rectangular or square shaped member and conforms to the shape of'the pit 28.

.The outer frame member 17 is of a smaller peripheral dimension than the pit 28 which allows it to be countersunk in the pit.

Inner frame member 18 is secured to outer frame member 17 by appropriate fasteners and lies adjacent the inner periphery thereof.

A grille bar structure 19 is resiliently supported by the outer frame member and overlies the inner frame member.

Brush rods 25 are journaled in the sides of the inner frame member spanning the distance therebetween and appearing at spaced intervals therealong. Oscillating .brushes 31 are secured to the brush rods 25 and project above the ends of the grille bar structure 19.

A motor (not shown) is also supported by the inner frame member 18. The output of the motor operates a crank and pitman secured to an agitator bar which in turn is secured to the rods 25 through links to cause oscillation thereof and thus oscillation of the brushes. The structure for causing oscillation of the brushes 31 is conventional and, therefore, not shown in detail.

A pressure sensitive switch (not shown), but disclosed in our copending application entitled Mechanical Door Mat, Serial No. 3,948 and filed January 21, 1960, is used to energize and deenergize a motor (not shown). Other specific features of the sole and heel cleaning unit per se are disclosed in this copending application.

The rotating brush unit 35 is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each one of the rotating brushes 45, a, 45b and 450 are mounted in a similar mannerwith respect to the sole and heel cleaning unit 11; therefore, only the mounting of brush 44 will be explained in detail. A frame-like cover plate 12 rests upon the outer frame member 17 and the edges of the pit 28 to bridge the gap therebetween about the entire periphery of the outer frame member. Upsta'nding bearing supports 41 and 42 are secured to opposite ends of the cover plate 12. A rotating brush shaft 43 has its ends journaled in the supports 41 and 42. The portion of shaft 43 which spans the distance between the supports 41 and 42 is hexagonal in cross sectional configuration. The brush sleeve 44 is keyed to the shaft 43 by the hexagonal configuration thereof. Brushes 45 are secured to the sleeve 44 in any conventional manner. The supports 41 and 42 are positioned at a point on the cover plate 12 so that the arc traversed by the rotating brushes 45 overlap slightly the outermost oscillating brush 31 of the unit 11.

The shafts 43a, 43b and 43c are journaled on supports similar to 41 and 42 but are not shown. Sleeves 44a, 44b and 44s are keyed to the shafts 43a, 43b and 43c,

respectively, by the hexagonal configuration of these shafts engaging a complementary configuration formed within the sleeves. Brushes 45a, 45b and 45c are secured to the sleeves in a conventional manner. The brush 45a is journaled in its supports at a position along the cover plate so that the are generated by the rotation thereof overlaps slightly the inner oscillating brush 3].. In this position the shaft 43a is parallel to the shaft 43 and the brushes 45a overlap with the brushes 45. A certain amount of overlapping is necessary to enable the brushes 45 and 45a to brush the entire surface area of the shoe.

The shaft 43b is also mounted parallel with respect to 43a and the brushes 45a and 4512 also overlap. The brushes 45b are positioned so that the arc generated by the rotation thereof overlaps slightly the innermost oscillating brush of the other sole and heel cleaning brush group.

The shaft 430 is iournaled in its support so as to be parallel to the shaft 43b. The brushes 45c overlap the brushes 45b. The are generated by the brushes 450 as they rotate just clears the outermost oscillating brush of the other sole and heel cleaning brush unit. The brushes 45b and 450 are overlapped to assure that the entire surface area of the shoe top is brushed. The brush 45 rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, the brush 45a rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the brush 45b in a clockwise dicetion and the brush 450 in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, shoes passing between the brushes 45, 45a, 45b and 450 are brushed by the counter-rotating brushes so that the foreign matter thereon is forced through the sole and heel cleaning unit 11 and into the pit 28.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show the drive mechanism for rotating the brushes. A motor 57 is secured to a base 56 which rests on the floor of the pit 28. The output of motor 57 leads to a reduction gear box 58. Gear box 58 has an output shaft 59 to which is secured a drive sprocket 54. The drive sprocket 54 engages a drive chain 63 which is trained over power takeoff sprockets 52, 52a, 52b and 520. The chain 63 is also trained over idler sprockets 61 and 62 and tensioning sprocket 60 best shown in FIG. 2. Since each of the drive trains to the various rotating brushes are identical, only the drive train to the brush 45 will be explained in detail.

The power takeoff drive sprocket is secured to a power takeoif shaft 51 which is journaled on bearings secured to the base or motor mount 56. A bevel gear 53 is secured to the opposite end of the power takeoif shaft 51.

An intermediate shaft 47 is journaled in bearings 50 which are secured to the end of the pit 28. The lower end of intermediate shaft 47 has a bevel gear 49 which meshes with the power takeoff bevel gear 53. The upper end of shaft 47 has a bevel gear 48 secured thereto which meshes with a bevel gear 46 secured to the brush shaft 43. Thus, power is transmitted to the brushes 45 via the power takeoff shaft 51 and intermediate shaft 47 to the brush shaft 43. Each of the rotating brush units 45a, 45b and 45c have a power takeoff shaft arrangement similar to the power takeoff shaft 51. FIG. 2 shows the intermediate shafts 47a, 47b and 47c for the brushes 45a, 45b and 450 respectively. Lower bevel gears 49a, 49b and 490 are also shown. The remainder of the gear train for these brushes is not shown but is identical to that shown in FIG. 4.

The drive chain 63 passes over power takeoff sprocket 52, under power takeofi sprocket 52a, over power takeoff sprocket 52b and under power takeoff sprocket 520 thus causing counter-rotation of these sprockets. This counterrotation is conveyed to the brushes 45, 45a, 45b and 450 by the various drive mechanisms, also causing them to counter-rotate.

A hoodlike housing 36 encloses a substantial portion of the brushes 45 and is secured to the cover plate 12 by hold-down brackets 40. A similar hoodlike housing 38 covers the majority of brushes 450. A U-shaped housing 37 covers the overlapping portions of brushes 45a and 45b and is also secured to the cover plate 12. The housing 36 has a resilient bumper 39 secured to the exposed edge thereof. The housing 37 has resilient bumpers 39a and 39b secured to the exposed edges thereof and housing 38 has a resilient bumper 39c secured to its exposed edges. These bumpers prevent the legs of the workman from being injured in walking through the rotating brush unit 35. The spaces between the housing provide paths or guideways for the shoes and legs of the workmen.

Aligned with the rotating brush unit is the rolling brush unit 65 now to .be described. A second sole and heel cleaning unit generally 64 is mounted in the second pit 85 in a manner identical to the mounting of the first sole and heel cleaning unit 11 in the first pit 28. Therefore, the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64 will not again be explained in detail.

FIGS. 3 and 4 best illustrate the rolling brush cleaner. The framelike cover plate 86 rests upon the outer frame member of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64 and upon the edge of pit 85. This bridges the opening betweenthe pit 85 and the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

Bearing blocks 84 and 81 are secured to the opposite ends of the framelike cover plate 86 and to the opposite ends of the grille bar structure of the second sole cleaning unit 64.

The rolling brush shaft 73 is journaled on the bearing plate 84 and extends both above the bearing block 84 and below the second sole cleaning unit 64. The outwardly projecting portion of rolling brush 73 has a drum 74 which is secured thereto. The lower end of the shaft 73 is provided with a gear 77 which meshes with the gear 79 secured to the upper end of an intermediate shaft 78. The lower end of intermediate shaft 78 is provided with a bevel gear which engages with a lower takeoff bevel gear such as 52 described in the rotating brush unit 35. Since the motor, gear box and power takeoff shafts of the rolling brush unit 85 are identical to the same parts in the rotating brush unit 35, they will not again be described.

The rear rolling brush shaft 82 is journaled in the bearing block 81 and projects upwardly therefrom. A rear rolling brush drum 83 is secured to the shaft 82. The shaft 73 and its drum 74 are aligned with the shaft 82 and its drum 83. An endless belt 75 is entrained about the drums 74 and 83 and rolled thereupon. The bearing block 81 may be made adjustable to provide a means for tensioning the belt 75 on the drums 74 and $3. Brush 76 is secured to the belt 75 and is moved with the belt upon energization of the motor. The belt 75 is mounted on the drums 74 and 73 so that the lowermost portion of the brush 76 carried thereby lies adjacent the grille bar structure of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

The rolling brush shafts 73 and 82 are positioned along the cover plate 86 and the end of the second sole and heel cleaing unit 64 so that the brush 76 rolled thereby extends beyond the center oscillating brush of one of the oscillating brush groups of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

Rolling brushes 76a, 76b and 76c are secured to their respective belts 75a, 75b and 75c which are entrained about drums similar to drums 74 and -83, but are not shown since they are identical to the drums 74 and 83.

The brush 76a is parallel to the brush 76 and overlaps therewith. Thus, the brush 76a extends beyond the center oscillating brush of one of the oscillating brush groups of second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

The brush 76b is parallel and adjacent the brush 76a and overlaps therewith. The brush 76b extends beyond the central oscillating brush of the other oscillating group of oscillating brushes of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

The brush 76c is disposed adjacent and parallel to the brush 76b and overlaps therewith. The brush 76c projects beyond the center oscillating brush of the other group 6 of oscillating brushes which forms a part of thesecond sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

A hoodlike housing 66 is secured to the cover plate 86 and extends overthe major portion of the rolling brush 76. The housing 66 has an open side and has the exposed edge thereof covered by a resilient bumper 69. The housing 66 is supported by a vertical support post 71 which rests on the grille bar structure of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64.

The rolling brush 760 is covered by a hoodlike housing 68 which is similar in deisgn t0 the housing 66 but appears on the opposite side therefrom. The housing 68 is secured to the cover plate by hold-down brackets 70 and is supported by post 710 which rests upon the grille bar structure of the second sole and heel cleaning unit. The housing 68 has an open side and has the exposed edge covered by a resilient bumper 69c.

A central housing member 67 is a generally U-shaped member and covers the driving drums and overlapping brush portions of brushes 76a and 76b. The housing 67 is further supported by posts 710: and 71b which project from the grille bar structure of the second sole and heel cleaning unit. The exposed edges of housing 67 are protected by resilient bumpers 69a and 69b.

The openings between the bumpers 69, 69a, 69b and 690 form a passage or guideway which allows the workman to walk between the brushes 76, 76a, 76b, and 760.

The brushes 76 and 76a counter-rotate with respect to each other as do the brushes 76b and 76c. This counterrotation is accomplished by a chain entrained over power takeoif sprockets in a manner identical to the rotating brush unit 35. Thus, it is believed unnecessary to repeat the operation of this structure. FIG. 3 shows the intermediate shafts 78, 78a, 78b and 7 80 leading to the various rolling brushes 76, 76a, 76b and 760 respectively From the above description it can be seen that the rotating brush unit 35 brushes the tops of the shoes transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent thereof, and the rolling brush unit 65 brushes the tops of the shoes along with or parallel to the longitudinal extent of the shoes.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified forms of brush for brushing the shoes parallel with the longitudinal extent thereof.

Modification FIGS. 5 and 6 show a revolving brush unit designated generally as 90. The revolving brush unit can be used in lieu of the rolling brush unit 65. These interchangeable units clean the shoe tops along the longitudinal extent thereof.

Revolving brush unit or set 90 includes four pairs of revolving brushes, each brush of a pair being aligned with the other, and the pairs being in parallel overlapping alignment with the other pairs and positioned at intervals along the width of the shoe cleaning unit.

The brushes 162. and 108 are positioned at opposite ends of the sole and heel cleaning unit and adjacent the one side thereof. The brush 102 is secured to a spindle ltl l which is rotatably mounted on a spindle shaft 100. The spindle shaft 106 is secured to a base plate which in turn is fastened to the grille bar structure of the sole and heel cleaning unit. The brush 108 is secured to a spindle which is rotatably mounted on a shaft, both of which are not shown. The brushes 162 and 168 are positioned on their respective spindles in a manner so that the end of the brushes just clears the top edge of the sole and heel cleaning unit grille bar structure. The brushes 102 and 108 are of a length so that the arc generated by the revolving of the tips thereof extends beyond the central oscillating brush of one group of the sole and heel cleaningunit oscillating brushes.

The brush 102:: is secured to a spindle ltlla which is rotatably mounted on a spindle shaft a. The shaft 100a is supported by a base plate 951: secured to the grille bar structure of the sole and heel cleaning unit. The

arr-44,099

brush 102a is of sufiicient length so that it overlaps or interengages the brush 102. The are generated by the revolving of the tip thereof passes beyond the center osci lating brush of the one sole and heel cleaning unit oscillating brush.

The brushes such as 102a and 103a are driven by a motor 99 through an arrangement of pulleys and belts including drive belt 98, intermediate drive pulley 97a and intermediate shaft 96a on which is secured the pulley 105a (FIG. 6). The shaft 96a and pulleys 97a and 105a are offset from the spindle 101a but drive the same by means of belt 104a (FIG. 6) and pulley 103a attached to the lower end of the spindle. At the upper end of spindle 101a is a pulley for driving brush 108a through the belt 107a (FIG. which is identical to belt 107 of FIG. 6.

The brush 102b is secured to a spindle 101b which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 10017. The shaft 100]; is fixedly secured to a base plate 95b which in turn is secured to the sole and heel cleaning unit grille bar structure. The brush 102 is spaced along the end of the cleaning unit 90 so that it overlaps the brush 102a and the are generated by the revolving of the tips thereof passes beyond the, center oscillating brush of the sole and heel cleaning unit other oscillating brush group. The

spindle 101b is provided with an upper spindle pulley 106b and lower spindle pulley 103b. A belt 104k powers the spindle and the belt 107]) powers the other revolving brush of the pair.

The brushes 1020 and 1080 are spaced at opposite ends along the other side of the sole and heel cleaning unit from the brushes 102 and 108. The brush 1020 is secured to a spindle 1010 in a conventional manner. The spindle 1010 rotates on the spindle shaft 1000 which is secured to the base plate 95c. The brush 1020 overlaps the brush 102i). The are generated by the tip of the revolving brush 1020 extends beyond the center oscillating brush of the sole and heel cleaning unit 64 other oscillating brush group.

The spindle 1010 is provided with an upper spindle pulley 1060 and a lower spindle pulley 1030. The spindle pulley 1030 is driven by the belt 104a and this in turn drives upper spindle pulley106c which powers the other brush unit 1080 of the pair via the belt 1070.

A cover plate 110 operates in a manner similar to the cover plate 86 of rolling unit 65 and bridges the gap between the pit and the outer frame member of the sole and heel cleaning unit. housing members for the revolving unit 90. A hoodlike member 91 surrounds a major portion of the revolving brushes 102 and 108. The housing member 91 is secured to the cover plate 110 by hold-down brackets 113 disposed along the ends and side thereof. One side of the hood 91 is removed and has the exposed edge thereof covered by a resilient bumper 94.

Centrally disposed over the revolving brushes 102a, 10% and 108a, 1081) is a U-shaped housing member 92. The ends of the housing 92 rest upon the ends of the cover plate 110. The exposed side edges of the central housing member 92 are covered by resilient bumpers 94a and 94b.

The revolving brushes 1020 and 1080 are covered by a hoodlike housing 93. The housing 93 is secured to the cover plate 110 by hold-down brackets 113. One side of the housing 93 is removed and the open edge thereof is covered by a resilient bumper 940.

The space between the bumpers 94 and 94a of the respective housing members 91 and 92 provides a path or guideway for one leg and shoe to pass between the brushes 102 and 102a at one end of the unit 90 and between brushes 108 and 108a at the other end of the unit. Similarly, the space between the bumpers 94c and 94b of the respective housing members 93and 92 provides a path for the other leg and shoe of the workman to pass between the revolving brushes 1020 and 10% at one end of the unit 90 and between revolving brushes 1080 and The cover plate 110 supports 1082; at the other end of the unit. This can be best seen in FIG. 5 As with the rotating brush unit 35 and the rolling brush unit 65, the soles and heels of the shoes are cleaned simultaneously with the top portions of the shoes by the oscillating brushes.

A drive train to spindle 1010: via intermediate shaft 96a has been previously explained. The spindle 101 is powered by an intermediate shaft 96, spindle 10112 is powered by an intermediate shaft 96b and spindle 1010 is powered by an intermediate shaft 960. The belt 98 is entrained on the intermediate shafts lower pulleys 97, 97a, 97b and'97c in a manner so that the brushes 102 and 102a counter-rotate with respect to each other and the brushes 1021) and 1020 also counter-rotate with respect to each other. The brushes 108 and 108a and 10811 and 1080 also counter-rotate with respect to each other. Idler pulleys and a tension pulley (not shown) are used to properly tension the belt 93 and keep it properly trained over the pulleys. The shaft 960 may be powered directly from the motor 99 by a miter gear connected to the downwardly extending end thereof which engages a similar miter gear on the output of the motor 99, this structure not being shown since it is con ventional mechanism.

The outlets 30 and 88 from the pits 28 and respectively are connected to a central vacuum source 120. Thus the debris scraped from the shoes in the various brushing processes falls through the grille bar structure of the first and second sole and heel cleaning units and is removed from the pits by the suction system 120.

Operation The shoe cleaning assembly 10, just described, is placed at the threshold of a Vacuum room. A first sole and heel cleaning unit such as 64 is mounted in a pit such as 28 and a rotating brush unit such as 35 is mounted thereupon. The second sole and heel cleaning unit such as 64 is mounted in a second pit such as 85 which is directly aligned with the first pit and spaced a short distance therefrom. A rolling brush unit such as 65 or the modified form of revolving brush 90 is mounted upon the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64. The proper power sources and gear trains are secured to the various brush units to impart the proper mechanical movements thereto.

As previously described, the oscillating brushes 31 may be placed into movement by the operation of a pressure sensitive switch actuated by the workman stepping upon the grill bar structure 19. The operation of such a switch does not form a part of this invention, however, the mechanism thereof is fully disclosed in our copending application entitled Mechanical Door Mat, filed January 21, 1960, bearing Serial No. 3,948. It is also desirable to have the power source for the rotating brush unit 35 and the power source for the vacuum unit connected to the same switch so that all the units are energized simultaneously. Obviously, in the broadest scope of this invention, the power sources may be energized by a manually actuated switch, a photoelectric cell or various other means.

When the workman applies pressure to the grill bar structure 19 by placing his shoe thereupon, the various units are then energized. The workman then walks in the form of more or less of a shufile through the rotating brushes one shoe between brushes 45 and 45a and the other shoe between brushes 45b and 450 of the rotating brush unit 35. As the workman shuflles along, the oscillating brushes 31 brush the soles and heels of the shoes and the counter-rotating brushes 45, 45a, 45b and 450 brush any foreign matter on the top parts of the shoes down into the grill bar structure 19 where it filters through into the pit and is withdrawn by the vacuum unit 120. The workman continues to shullle through the rotating unit 35 until he leaves the opposite end thereof and Walks onto the surface separating the first and second pits. As the workman relinquishes pressure 9 on the grill bar structure 19 the rotating brush unit 35 is de-energized.

The workman then immediately steps onto the grill bar structure of sole and heel cleaning unit 64 which trips another pressure sensitive switch associated with the second sole and heel cleaning unit and the rotating brush unit 35. This switch may be identical to the first pressure sensitive switch. Thus, the oscillating brushes of the second sole and heel cleaning unit are energized and the rolling brushes 76, 76a 76b and 76c are energized. The workman then shuttles one shoe between the counterrotating brushes 76, and 76a and the other shoe between brushes 76b and 760 which brush the shoes along the longitudinal extent thereof to remove any foreign matter which may be lodged in the seam created by joining the tops of the shoes to the soles and heels. Simultaneously the soles and heels are again being brushed by the oscillating brushes of the second sole and heel cleaning unit 64. As the workman leaves the other end of the rotating brush unit, pressure is released from the grill bar structure and the pressure sensitive switch opens de-energizing the various power units. The workman then immediately walks into the vacuum room wearing shoes which are virtually free from dust and foreign matter.

The modified form of revolving brush unit 90 may be substituted for the rolling brush unit 85 as previously described.

It can be seen that the shoe cleaner described herein provides a very effective means of removing all dust and dirt from a pair of shoes. The unit is self-operative, being actuated by the workman merely walking upon the mechanism. Therefore, the shoes can be cleaned very quickly, the time necessary for the cleaning being the time it takes the workman to walk through the units. The shoe cleaner disclosed herein is further a time saver in that the workman need not remove his shoes, have them cleaned and then replace them before he enters the vacuum room. Rather, the shoes remain on the workmans feet as he walks through the various cleaning units.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention and a modification thereof has been described, it will be understood that other modifications and improvements may be made thereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate the principles of this invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

We claim:

1. A shoe cleaning machine comprising in combination: a pit; an elongated pathway having a first and second portion each extending longitudinally along said pathway and arranged one behind the other over said pit; first brush means in said pathway exercising a brushing action in the plane of the sole of the shoe to be cleaned, second brush means in said first portion of said pathway exercising a brushing action on the uppers of said shoe in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shoe, third brush means in said second portion of said pathway exercising a brushing action on said uppers of said shoe in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shoe and power means for operating said brushes.

2. A shoe cleaning machine comprising in combination: a pit; an elongated pathway having a first and second portion each extending longitudinally along said pathway and arranged one behind the other over said pit; first brush means in said pathway exercising a brushing action in the plane of the sole of the shoe to be cleaned,.

second brush means in said first portion of said pathway exercising a brushing action on the uppers of said shoe in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shoe, third brush means in said second portion of said pathway exercising a brushing action on said uppers of said shoe in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shoe, all of said brush means being so arrangedwith respect to said pathway as to accomplish their brushing action while said shoe is being worn by a person proceeding through said path way, vacuum means associated with said pit for removing foreign matter as it is brushed from said shoe by said first, second and third brush means, and power means for operating said brushes.

3. A shoe cleaning machine as in claim 1 wherein suction means is connected to said brushes for removing foreign matter therefrom.

4. A machine for cleaning shoes comprising: units -of brushes including; a first unit consisting of pairs of counter-rotating brushes for transverse brushing of shoes; said pairs of counter-rotating brushes being mounted in parallel and overlapping position, said first unit also including oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of counter-rotating brushes; a' second unit of brushes in end to end alignment with said first unit and including pairs of counter-rolling brushes for longitudinal brushing of shoes; said pairs of counterrolling brushes being mounted in parallel and overlap ping position; said second set of brushes also including oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of rolling brushes, guide means for directing objects such as shoes between said pairs of rotating and rolling brushes and over said oscillating brushes, power means for movement of said brushes whereby foreign matter is removed from said shoes and suction means common to said units of brushes for removing said for eign matter.

5. A machine for cleaning shoes comprising: a set of brushes, said set of brushes including pairs of counterrolling brushes, said pairs of counter-rolling brushes being mounted in parallel and overlapping position, said set of brushes also including oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of counter-rolling brushes, brush housing means including guide means for directing a pair of shoes between said rolling brushes and over said oscillating brushes, said set of brushes being mounted over a pit, and power means for rolling and oscillating said brushes; said rolling brushes being revolved in a direction to engage the tops of the shoes in a direction with the longitudinal extent thereof whereby foreign matter brushed therefrom falls into said pit.

6. A shoe cleaning machine as in claim 5 wherein said pit is provided with suction means for removing foreign matter therefrom.

7. A machine for automatically cleaning shoes while walking therethrough comprising: units of brushes; a first unit consisting of pairs of counter-rotating brushes;

"said pairs of counter-rotating brushes being mounted in parallel and overlapping position, said first unit also in:

cluding oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of counter-rotating brushes; a second unit of brushes in end to end alignment with said first unit and including pairs of counter-rolling brushes; said pairs of counter-rolling brushes being mounted in parallel and overlapping position; said second unit of brushes also including oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of rolling brushes, said first and second units of brushes being mounted over aligned and spaced pits, guide means for directing each foot between a pair of said first unit rotating brushes and a pair of said second unit rolling brushes; switch means, operable by the pressure of a foot, connected to said oscillating brushes energizing power means for rotating, rolling and oscillating said brushes whereby the tops of said shoes are brushed, normal to the directions of travel therethrough by said rotating brushes, with the direction of travel therethroughby said rolling brushes, and the sole-and heel of said shoes brushed by said oscillating brushes.

8. A machine for automatically cleaning shoes while walking therethrough as in claim 7 wherein said pits are provided with a common suction means for removing the foreign matter brushed from said shoes.

. 9. A machine for cleaning shoes comprising: a unit of brushes, said unit ofbrushes including pairs of counterrevolving brushes being spaced in one direction but being in parallel over-lapping position in another direction, said unit of brushes also including oscillating brushes disposed beneath and in juxtaposition to said pairs of counter-re- References Qited in the file of'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Waters June 14, Elekes Feb. 16, Raschella Feb. 3, .Raginia Mar. 30, Parker Nov. 16, Manger Aug. 17, Stotz Aug. 28, Kemp Nov. 18, Dyer Feb. 9, Nappi Dec. 13,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 25,

France Sept. 2, 

